Protect Bath, SOBA's fellow Green Belt campaigners, have created a simple online tool to make responding to the public consultation much easier.
Instead of having to fill in Word documents and attach them to an email, or write a letter, just click on the link below and fill in the form - and if you can personalise it, even better...
It only takes a minute or two to respond to Bath council's public consultation. Click here now!
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
Sunday, 8 December 2013
Last chance to object to Bath council's plans to bulldoze the Green Belt
DEADLINE: DECEMBER 20
If you haven’t already responded to the council’s second public consultation about plans to build on South Stoke Plateau, the clock is ticking.
This is your last chance to influence events. Only those responses received by 5pm on December 20 will be considered by the Planning Inspector who will hold a public inquiry in the New Year to hear representations and then make a decision.
You can send in your objections by:
- Filling in the council’s online comment forms (found at http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/core-strategy-examination/consultation-core#four). These must then be attached to an email and sent to core_strategy@bathnes.gov.uk
- Writing a letter which needs to be sent to Planning Policy, Planning Services, Bath & North East Somerset Council, PO Box 5006, Bath, BA1 1JG
Please try to use your own words as much as possible to reflect your own opinions. There may be others you might wish to add - for example, Southstoke Road is already a busy highway in the morning rush hour - just imagine it with roundabouts or traffic lights at either end! And with the 800 houses planned for the ex-MoD site at Fox Hill, just think of the congestion if 300 additional houses are built on South Stoke plateau.
The four key issues relating to South Stoke Plateau that the inspector will take into account are:
- Bath’s UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) status, the Green Belt, the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and The Wansdyke ancient scheduled monument.
- Access problems, local infrastructure.
- Core Strategy housing numbers. Are they excessive? Should there be any need to bulldoze the Green Belt and AONB?.
- Is Bath a special case?
Bath’s UNESCO status is particularly important - the reason our city is a WHS is not just because of the buildings, but also its setting, which includes the hills around it.
If you require further guidance, the Sulis Meadows group have organised a meeting on Monday. Councillors and others will be there to answer questions and advise further.
PUBLIC MEETING FOR ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION THIS COMING MONDAY DEC 9 AT
ST GREGORY'S CATHOLIC COLLEGE 5-7.30PM
Please spare 10 minutes to either print off a comment form and send it back to the council, or complete a comment form via a Word doc and email which can be found by clicking on the link below, where the process is fully explained:
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/core-strategy-examination/consul
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Get your empty property back into use!
Local people in possession of empty properties are being encouraged by Bath & North East Somerset Council to take steps to bring them back into use as part of Empty Property Week.
SOBA supports this initiative because there are around 500 empty properties in the area, approximately 200 of which have been empty for over two years. The more houses and flats in use, the less pressure to build new properties - especially on green belt and AONB.
Specialist Housing Team advisors will be on hand at the Council’s One Stop Shop in Manvers Street, Bath between Nov 25-29 from 2-4pm each day to give advice on financial assistance for owners, VAT relief on refurbishment, advertising properties for sale and private sector leasing schemes.
The Council is also taking the opportunity to highlight the financial schemes available for works ranging from minor repairs to major schemes to get an empty property back into use.
SOBA supports this initiative because there are around 500 empty properties in the area, approximately 200 of which have been empty for over two years. The more houses and flats in use, the less pressure to build new properties - especially on green belt and AONB.
Specialist Housing Team advisors will be on hand at the Council’s One Stop Shop in Manvers Street, Bath between Nov 25-29 from 2-4pm each day to give advice on financial assistance for owners, VAT relief on refurbishment, advertising properties for sale and private sector leasing schemes.
The Council is also taking the opportunity to highlight the financial schemes available for works ranging from minor repairs to major schemes to get an empty property back into use.
- Grant scheme of up to £500
- Loan scheme of up to £30,000 to be repaid over 10 years
Click here to find out more - http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/latestnews/get-your-empty-property-back-use
Sunday, 17 November 2013
Green Belt under attack - your chance to object
We all have until 5pm on Friday, 20th December 2013 to respond to a BANES public consultation about plans to build 300 houses at South Stoke plateau.
The council have made the process about as user-unfriendly as is possible, but the next few weeks could change Bath forever, and there's no going back.
We need to send a clear message to the Planning Inspector that there is a huge amount of opposition to the plans to develop the plateau - stunning countryside separating the city of Bath from the historic village of South Stoke.
Please spare 10 minutes to either print off a comment form and send it back to the council, or complete a comment form via a Word doc and email which can be found by clicking on the link below, where the process is fully explained:
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/core-strategy-examination/consultation-core#four
The council have made the process about as user-unfriendly as is possible, but the next few weeks could change Bath forever, and there's no going back.
Please spare 10 minutes to either print off a comment form and send it back to the council, or complete a comment form via a Word doc and email which can be found by clicking on the link below, where the process is fully explained:
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/core-strategy-examination/consultation-core#four
Our petition is delivered to BANES councillors
On November14, 2013, SOBA co-founder Gareth Herincx delivered our 1,300-strong petition to a full meeting of Bath and North East Somerset Council.
The petition, including several hundred accompanying comments, will get passed on to the Planning Inspector when he resumes his Examination in Public later this year or early 2015.
Below is the text of the three-minute statement given by Gareth...
"Mr Chairman, councillors, ladies and gentlemen...
I’m honoured to be representing the 1,300 people who took the trouble to sign our petition - most of whom also wrote impassioned comments. The vast majority are from Bath, but there are many others from the UK and the rest of the world including America, New Zealand and Mexico - an indication that the preservation of Bath's green belt is of national and international interest.
I'm also representing the South of Bath Alliance which provides a voice for the communities surrounding South Stoke plateau – all opposed to the housing plans - that's South Stoke village, Combe Hay village, the roads to the north including Southstoke Road, Midford Road, Old Frome Road – and Sulis Meadows
And finally, I'm here as a resident of Bath who is proud of our city's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and accepts the need for more housing - but doesn't believe that bulldozing the green belt is the only solution.
South Stoke plateau is meant to have the highest level of protection. Not only is it part of the Cotswold Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty, it's also designated green belt - which in this case should provide a buffer between the historic village of South Stoke and the city of Bath. The nationally important Wansdyke Scheduled Ancient Monument also runs through the plateau, while it's also ecologically important to threatened species including skylarks and greater horseshoe bats. Housing on the plateau would also jeopardise the delicate ecology and natural spring water routes that flow through the nearby Horsecombe Valley
It seems to me that this proposal is being driven by profit and convenience. PROFIT for the landowner and developers and CONVENIENCE because it makes up the housing numbers and it’s a nice flat piece of agricultural land..
We say there is no need to destroy Bath's green belt if the density of housing on brownfield - especially the three MoD sites - was increased slightly. Incidentally, the MoD Foxhill site is a couple of minutes' drive from the plateau and has been earmarked for 800 houses - potentially putting a large strain on our already strained infrastructure.
A few months ago Adam Fergusson gave a talk in Bath to mark the 40th anniversary of the publication of his book, The Sack of Bath. I don't need to remind anyone here today that he was the man who blew the whistle on the planning vandalism that took place in this city during the 60s and 70s. In his speech, Mr Fergusson warned of a second Sack of Bath and concluded by saying the green belt should be “non negotiable”.
Bath isn't just about its historic centre - its setting makes it unique too. If the green belt is allowed to be breached at South Stoke AND Weston we fear there's a real danger that Bath could lose its valuable status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site."
The petition, including several hundred accompanying comments, will get passed on to the Planning Inspector when he resumes his Examination in Public later this year or early 2015.
Below is the text of the three-minute statement given by Gareth...
"Mr Chairman, councillors, ladies and gentlemen...
I’m honoured to be representing the 1,300 people who took the trouble to sign our petition - most of whom also wrote impassioned comments. The vast majority are from Bath, but there are many others from the UK and the rest of the world including America, New Zealand and Mexico - an indication that the preservation of Bath's green belt is of national and international interest.
I'm also representing the South of Bath Alliance which provides a voice for the communities surrounding South Stoke plateau – all opposed to the housing plans - that's South Stoke village, Combe Hay village, the roads to the north including Southstoke Road, Midford Road, Old Frome Road – and Sulis Meadows
And finally, I'm here as a resident of Bath who is proud of our city's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and accepts the need for more housing - but doesn't believe that bulldozing the green belt is the only solution.
South Stoke plateau is meant to have the highest level of protection. Not only is it part of the Cotswold Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty, it's also designated green belt - which in this case should provide a buffer between the historic village of South Stoke and the city of Bath. The nationally important Wansdyke Scheduled Ancient Monument also runs through the plateau, while it's also ecologically important to threatened species including skylarks and greater horseshoe bats. Housing on the plateau would also jeopardise the delicate ecology and natural spring water routes that flow through the nearby Horsecombe Valley
It seems to me that this proposal is being driven by profit and convenience. PROFIT for the landowner and developers and CONVENIENCE because it makes up the housing numbers and it’s a nice flat piece of agricultural land..
We say there is no need to destroy Bath's green belt if the density of housing on brownfield - especially the three MoD sites - was increased slightly. Incidentally, the MoD Foxhill site is a couple of minutes' drive from the plateau and has been earmarked for 800 houses - potentially putting a large strain on our already strained infrastructure.
A few months ago Adam Fergusson gave a talk in Bath to mark the 40th anniversary of the publication of his book, The Sack of Bath. I don't need to remind anyone here today that he was the man who blew the whistle on the planning vandalism that took place in this city during the 60s and 70s. In his speech, Mr Fergusson warned of a second Sack of Bath and concluded by saying the green belt should be “non negotiable”.
Bath isn't just about its historic centre - its setting makes it unique too. If the green belt is allowed to be breached at South Stoke AND Weston we fear there's a real danger that Bath could lose its valuable status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site."
Monday, 11 November 2013
Beautiful Bath vs housing. Have your say...
Bath and North East Somerset Council has published detailed proposals to destroy the green belt boundary around Bath so new houses can be built.The changes to B&NES' Core Strategy - a planning blueprint which outlines where new houses will be built in the area over the next 15 years - highlights green belt in Weston and South Stoke.
A six-week public consultation is now underway during which time we can all respond via the B&NES website and see the plans at a series of exhibitions:
- Wednesday 13th November - South Stoke Parish Hall between 3.00pm and 5.00pm
- Wednesday 13th November - Odd Down, St Gregory’s College between 6.00pm and 8.00pm
- Thursday 14th November - Weston All Saints Centre between 3.00pm and 7.00pm
Visit the Consultation details area of the B&NES website to send your comments. Unfortunately, it's not a simple process, but it's vital that we voice our objections.
Read more about the story on the Bath Chronicle website.
Friday, 8 November 2013
D-Day looms for South Stoke Plateau
We have had an exclusive preview of a map outlining Bath and North East Somerset Council's revised plan for South Stoke Plateau (or land adjoining Odd Down) - and it's bad news.
If the plan for 300 houses goes ahead ahead, virtually all the fields will be bulldozed for housing expect the far east and far south-west - in effect doubling the area of Sulis Meadows.
The plan will be available via www.bathnes.gov.uk/corestrategy on November 11 and this will be followed by a six-week public consultation during which presentations will be made in South Stoke and Odd Down (see story below) We'll also get the chance to respond directly to the council.
B&NES wants the comment forms returned no later than 5pm on Friday, 20th December 2013. Comments received by this deadline will be forwarded to the Planning Inspector for his consideration.
Needless to say, it's vital that as many of us as possible respond so the Inspector is fully aware of the strength of opposition to ANY incursion of the green belt.
 |
| A six-week public consultation begins on November 11 |
The plan will be available via www.bathnes.gov.uk/corestrategy on November 11 and this will be followed by a six-week public consultation during which presentations will be made in South Stoke and Odd Down (see story below) We'll also get the chance to respond directly to the council.
B&NES wants the comment forms returned no later than 5pm on Friday, 20th December 2013. Comments received by this deadline will be forwarded to the Planning Inspector for his consideration.
Needless to say, it's vital that as many of us as possible respond so the Inspector is fully aware of the strength of opposition to ANY incursion of the green belt.
Monday, 28 October 2013
Council to reveal revised housing plans for South Stoke Plateau
Bath and North East Somerset Council will announce its plans for the South Stoke Plateau (or land adjoining Odd Down) on November 11.
This will then be followed by six weeks of public consultation where you will be given the chance to object to the building of hundreds of houses on the plateau.
The council will also stage two presentations on November 13th so that you can see the plans for yourself:
This will then be followed by six weeks of public consultation where you will be given the chance to object to the building of hundreds of houses on the plateau.
The council will also stage two presentations on November 13th so that you can see the plans for yourself:
- South Stoke Village Hall, 3-5pm
- St Gregory's Catholic College, 6-8pm
 |
| Flashback to our SOBA summer protest walk |
We will keep you up to date with the latest news over the coming crucial weeks. It's essential that we all make our voices heard when the consultation period opens because the Planning Inspector will see all the comments when his Examination in Public begins again, probably in the New Year.
In the meantime, if you live in one of the communities surrounding the plateau, we urge you to put up a "Save Bath's Green Belt" protest board in your garden, write to/email your local councillor/MP and encourage your friends and neighbours to join the campaign.
Sunday, 20 October 2013
SAY NO to council's crafty plan to build on the plateau
The Planning Inspector has accepted Bath and North East Somerset Council's Core Strategy proposal – despite developers asking for it to be rewritten to include Bristol’s housing needs.
He will now hold a public meeting in Bath (date tbc) to hear objections from people who responded to the May 2013 consultation.
In the meantime, the council has decided to select a specific location on South Stoke Plateau for housing. In so doing they have circumvented the Core Strategy consultation process.
The next stage of the council's plan is to launch another consultation with communities around the plateau (in November), asking whether we agree with their choice of location for house-building on the Plateau.
Please look out for any consultation letters/emails in November and reply ‘NO’ to any South Stoke Plateau house-building location.
plateauAny building on the plateau will represent the thin end of the wedge. Tomorrow, the rest of the plateau, then more green belt around Bath.
 |
| Threatened South Stoke plateau |
In the meantime, the council has decided to select a specific location on South Stoke Plateau for housing. In so doing they have circumvented the Core Strategy consultation process.
The next stage of the council's plan is to launch another consultation with communities around the plateau (in November), asking whether we agree with their choice of location for house-building on the Plateau.
Please look out for any consultation letters/emails in November and reply ‘NO’ to any South Stoke Plateau house-building location.
plateauAny building on the plateau will represent the thin end of the wedge. Tomorrow, the rest of the plateau, then more green belt around Bath.
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
B&NES plan for 12,700 homes clears another hurdle
A public hearing into Bath’s planning blue print is to continue in late November after Planning Inspector Simon Emerson decided to proceed with Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Core Strategy.
Mr Emerson has been assessing whether the draft core strategy is legally sound and there had been concerns that the plan did not take into account the housing needs of other areas such as Bristol.
The Core Strategy, which earmarks sites for 12,700 homes over the next 15 years, includes Green Belt at Weston and South Stoke.
Councillor Tim Ball (Lib-Dem, Twerton), Cabinet member for homes and planning, said: “The Core Strategy focuses development on brownfield sites as far as possible and seeks to limit the use of Green Belt land to achieve our homes target to support local need.”
The South of Bath Alliance supports the focus on brownfield sites, but we believe the Green Belt should be non-negotiable and Bath should be treated as a special case.
Mr Emerson has been assessing whether the draft core strategy is legally sound and there had been concerns that the plan did not take into account the housing needs of other areas such as Bristol.
The Core Strategy, which earmarks sites for 12,700 homes over the next 15 years, includes Green Belt at Weston and South Stoke.
The South of Bath Alliance supports the focus on brownfield sites, but we believe the Green Belt should be non-negotiable and Bath should be treated as a special case.
Thursday, 19 September 2013
D-Day for Bath’s Core Strategy next Wednesday
The Bath Chronicle is reporting that there will be a ruling next week about whether a blueprint for the future of development across the Bath area needs to be ripped up and started again.
The Chronicle says “Simon Emerson, who is assessing whether Bath and North East Somerset Council’s draft core strategy is legally sound, has raised a series of questions about whether the authority has earmarked enough land for new homes”.
BBC Points West reported on Mr Emerson’s September 17 meeting with B&NES on that night’s programme and reporter Ali Vowles filmed a piece on South Stoke plateau.
Link: http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Inspector-rule-week-Bath-homes-blueprint/story-19811024-detail/story.html#ixzz2fL2TylEk
The Chronicle says “Simon Emerson, who is assessing whether Bath and North East Somerset Council’s draft core strategy is legally sound, has raised a series of questions about whether the authority has earmarked enough land for new homes”.
BBC Points West reported on Mr Emerson’s September 17 meeting with B&NES on that night’s programme and reporter Ali Vowles filmed a piece on South Stoke plateau.
Link: http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Inspector-rule-week-Bath-homes-blueprint/story-19811024-detail/story.html#ixzz2fL2TylEk
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Future of Bath's valuable Green Belt hangs in the balance
It’s big week for Bath and North East Somerset Council. It’s attempting to prove to the Government’s Planning Inspector that its planning blueprint (known as the Core Strategy) is legally sound.
Earlier this summer Planning Inspector Simon Emerson raised serious questions about whether the council has earmarked enough land for new homes.
Mr Emerson was backing concerns from developers that the council had not taken enough consideration of the housing needs of adjacent local authority areas, because cities such as Bristol have traditionally provided jobs to people living in B&NES.
B&NES Council insists its strategy to build 12,700 homes over the next 15 years ticks all the Government’s boxes.
The Core Strategy will also determine the future of green belt land at Weston and South Stoke.
Our fear is that it if the decision is made to build on green belt, it will be open season for developers all around Bath.
Not only will this threaten Bath’s unique setting, but also our status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here's a link to the BBC News Online version of the story http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-24123087
 |
| Under threat: Bath's South Stoke plateau |
Mr Emerson was backing concerns from developers that the council had not taken enough consideration of the housing needs of adjacent local authority areas, because cities such as Bristol have traditionally provided jobs to people living in B&NES.
B&NES Council insists its strategy to build 12,700 homes over the next 15 years ticks all the Government’s boxes.
The Core Strategy will also determine the future of green belt land at Weston and South Stoke.
Our fear is that it if the decision is made to build on green belt, it will be open season for developers all around Bath.
Not only will this threaten Bath’s unique setting, but also our status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here's a link to the BBC News Online version of the story http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-24123087
Monday, 9 September 2013
South Stoke plateau art on tour
There's another chance to see artwork by local artists inspired by the South Stoke plateau this Saturday.
 |
| Watercolour by Mary Liddell |
Organiser Sally Muir will have a stall at South Stoke Village Hall between 11am-5pm .
The aim is to draw attention to our campaign and demonstrate what Bath will be losing if the housing development goes ahead.
The paintings will be sold at a later date (proceeds going to the campaign to save South Stoke plateau).
If you haven't signed our petition, visit http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/protect-precious-green-belt-in-bath-from-a-300-home-development
Friday, 30 August 2013
Have you signed our petition?
Please sign and share our petition with your friends, family and neighbours.
Our petition is your chance to make Eric Pickles (Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) and our MPs Don Foster and Jacob Rees-Mogg aware of our opposition to the plan to buld 300 houses on the South Stoke plateau.
The land should enjoy the highest form of protection as it is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is designated Green Belt.
Also, the Wansdyke Scheduled Ancient Monument runs along the plateau’s northern edge and it is a known foraging area for the Greater Horseshoe Bat, one of the UK’s most rare species, plus a habitat for endangered skylarks.
 |
| We're trying to save South Stoke plateau, Bath |
The land should enjoy the highest form of protection as it is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is designated Green Belt.
Also, the Wansdyke Scheduled Ancient Monument runs along the plateau’s northern edge and it is a known foraging area for the Greater Horseshoe Bat, one of the UK’s most rare species, plus a habitat for endangered skylarks.
Visit http://chn.ge/11Rn871 to sign the petition.
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
South Stoke plateau art exhibition tour
 |
| Our art exhibition at Bath Farmers' Market |
You can catch the creations (all produced by local artists) at Combe Hay Church on August 31 and September 1 (10am-5pm), then South Stoke Village Hall on September 14/15th, same times.
The aim is to draw attention to our campaign and demonstrate what Bath will be losing if the housing development goes ahead.
The paintings will be sold at a later date (proceeds going to the campaign to save South Stoke plateau).
If you haven't signed our petition already, please visit http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/protect-precious-green-belt-in-bath-from-a-300-home-development
Sunday, 25 August 2013
Green Belt building increasing
An article in the Telegraph shows the amount of green belt being for housing building is increasing.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/greenpolitics/planning/10264644/Green-belt-housing-doubles-in-a-year.html
The areas around Bath are mentioned.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/greenpolitics/planning/10264644/Green-belt-housing-doubles-in-a-year.html
The areas around Bath are mentioned.
Monday, 19 August 2013
Our Protest Walk grabs the headlines
Sunday's Protest Walk around the threatened South Stoke
Plateau was a huge success.
 |
| Assembling at the Cross Keys |
We sent a clear message to the Council, the Planning
Inspector and our MPs, Don Foster and Jacob Rees-Mogg, that there is fierce
local opposition to the proposal to build 400 homes on the plateau.
The coverage we received for the walk, and Sally Muir’s art
exhibition at Green Park on Saturday, was phenomenal.
On Friday we were featured on BBC Bristol and The Breeze
Bath, and on Saturday Sally was interviewed on BBC Bristol.
 |
| Walking around the threatened plateau |
BBC News Online ran a story about the protest walk on
Sunday, then ITV West were at the Cross Keys to film our protest. And here's a link to a recording of the actual ITV News West item
Finally on Monday, our walk headlined on the Bath Chronicle
website and The Breeze Bath followed up with another interview.
If you haven't signed our petition already, please visit http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/protect-precious-green-belt-in-bath-from-a-300-home-development
 |
| Taking a breather at South Stoke's Millennium Seat |
Sunday, 18 August 2013
Save South Stoke plateau protest walk - TODAY!
We're looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible for today's protest walk around South Stoke plateau.
This is your chance to demonstrate to B&NES Council and our MPs, Don Foster and Jacob Rees-Mogg, the strength of opposition to the proposal to build 300 houses on this Green Belt and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - land that is supposed to have the highest level of protection.
Starting at the Cross Keys on Midford Road at 2.30pm, we plan to walk anti-clockwise around the fields, taking in the Wansdyke Scheduled Ancient Monument and Sulis Meadows.
Family and friends welcome and feel free to bring homemade “Save Our Green Belt” placards.
If you haven't signed our petition already, please visit http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/protect-precious-green-belt-in-bath-from-a-300-home-development
Starting at the Cross Keys on Midford Road at 2.30pm, we plan to walk anti-clockwise around the fields, taking in the Wansdyke Scheduled Ancient Monument and Sulis Meadows.
Family and friends welcome and feel free to bring homemade “Save Our Green Belt” placards.
If you haven't signed our petition already, please visit http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/protect-precious-green-belt-in-bath-from-a-300-home-development
Saturday, 10 August 2013
Join our plateau protest walk
Are you opposed to the building of 300+ homes on the South Stoke plateau? If so, please join us for a protest walk around the fields on Sunday, August 18th.
Starting at the Cross Keys on Midford Road at 2.30pm, we plan to walk anti-clockwise around the fields, taking in the Wansdyke Scheduled Ancient Monument, Sulis Meadows and South Stoke’s Millennium Seat.
Family and friends welcome and feel free to bring homemade “Save our Green Belt” placards.
We want to demonstrate to Bath & NE Somerset Council the strength of local opposition to the proposal to build on land which is supposed to have the highest protection - designated Green Belt and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Starting at the Cross Keys on Midford Road at 2.30pm, we plan to walk anti-clockwise around the fields, taking in the Wansdyke Scheduled Ancient Monument, Sulis Meadows and South Stoke’s Millennium Seat.Family and friends welcome and feel free to bring homemade “Save our Green Belt” placards.
We want to demonstrate to Bath & NE Somerset Council the strength of local opposition to the proposal to build on land which is supposed to have the highest protection - designated Green Belt and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Wednesday, 7 August 2013
Art to the rescue
Sally Muir is leading a group of fellow artists to produce a display of South Stoke plateau-inspired artworks that will be displayed at various locations.
They are aiming to generate further interest and support for our campaign to save the stunning landscape on the southern edge of Bath from a housing estate of more than 300 homes.
The exhibition will be staged at Green Park Station on Saturday 17th August (Farmers' Market Day). Please stop by and give Sally and her team your encouragement.
They will also be a chance to find out more about the campaign and how you can help the cause.
In the meantime, don't forget to sign and share our petition
 |
| Plateau watercolour by Mary Liddell |
The exhibition will be staged at Green Park Station on Saturday 17th August (Farmers' Market Day). Please stop by and give Sally and her team your encouragement.
They will also be a chance to find out more about the campaign and how you can help the cause.
In the meantime, don't forget to sign and share our petition
Sunday, 28 July 2013
What is happening now - July 2013
The decision on whether to allow building on the South Stoke Plateau lies with a government inspector. This decision will be made after a public enquiry, held in public this is called the EIP (Examination In Public)
The current situation is the inspector thinks the council should have taken into account a lack of housing in Bristol. The council and Bristol City Council think this wrong.
A workshop is be held with interested parties, mostly house builder, that want to build more houses. Once that is settled the EIP could continue.
This workshop will only have invited people attending. It seems wrong that one person can make this sort of decision regardless of two democratically elected bodies, Bath and North East and Somerset Council and Bristol City Council.
The current situation is the inspector thinks the council should have taken into account a lack of housing in Bristol. The council and Bristol City Council think this wrong.
A workshop is be held with interested parties, mostly house builder, that want to build more houses. Once that is settled the EIP could continue.
This workshop will only have invited people attending. It seems wrong that one person can make this sort of decision regardless of two democratically elected bodies, Bath and North East and Somerset Council and Bristol City Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we oppose the building of houses at South Stoke, and have we got alternatives.
http://odddown.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/frequently-asked-questions-about-300.html
http://odddown.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/frequently-asked-questions-about-300.html
The great consultation mystery
Bath and North East Somerset Council has just sent out 20mph zone consultation leaflets to Odd Down and Combe Down residents.
The leaflets explain where the limit will apply, why it's proposed, how we can find out more - and it gives us an opportunity to give our views about the plan.
If such clear leaflets had been sent out in early spring 2013 to residents surrounding the South Stoke plateau - telling us about the plan to build 300 homes on the Green Belt/Area of Outstanding Beauty - we suspect the response to the consultation would have been even bigger than the 1,000+ responses the B&NES received.
The leaflets explain where the limit will apply, why it's proposed, how we can find out more - and it gives us an opportunity to give our views about the plan.
If such clear leaflets had been sent out in early spring 2013 to residents surrounding the South Stoke plateau - telling us about the plan to build 300 homes on the Green Belt/Area of Outstanding Beauty - we suspect the response to the consultation would have been even bigger than the 1,000+ responses the B&NES received.
South Stoke plateau petition landmark
This week our campaign to save the South Stoke
plateau reach an important milestone - our petition received its 500th
signature. Next stop 1,000.
If you’ve signed, on behalf of the South of Bath Alliance (SOBA) - an action group set up by communities surrounding the plateau - we'd like to thank you, but also to urge you to do two things:
1) If you haven't already, please share the link to our petition with your friends and family (we have supporters all over the world) - and your neighbours. http://chn.ge/11Rn871
If you're on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ or any other social network, or blog, please mention the petition and post a link. http://chn.ge/11Rn871 Every time someone signs, Eric Pickles, Don Foster and Jacob Rees-Mogg all receive an email notification!
We also plan to deliver a hard copy of the petition later this year, so every signature counts.
2) Finally, take a look at the bottom left hand side of the petition where you can read the comments you and your fellow signatories have been leaving. They demonstrate how strongly we all feel about this lush landscape on the southern edge of Bath.
Thanks again for your support, and here's to our next landmark.
If you’ve signed, on behalf of the South of Bath Alliance (SOBA) - an action group set up by communities surrounding the plateau - we'd like to thank you, but also to urge you to do two things:
1) If you haven't already, please share the link to our petition with your friends and family (we have supporters all over the world) - and your neighbours. http://chn.ge/11Rn871
If you're on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ or any other social network, or blog, please mention the petition and post a link. http://chn.ge/11Rn871 Every time someone signs, Eric Pickles, Don Foster and Jacob Rees-Mogg all receive an email notification!
We also plan to deliver a hard copy of the petition later this year, so every signature counts.
2) Finally, take a look at the bottom left hand side of the petition where you can read the comments you and your fellow signatories have been leaving. They demonstrate how strongly we all feel about this lush landscape on the southern edge of Bath.
Thanks again for your support, and here's to our next landmark.
Sunday, 21 July 2013
Sign our petition to save South Stoke Plateau
The land should enjoy the highest form of protection as it is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is designated Green Belt.
Also, the Wansdyke Scheduled Ancient Monument runs along the plateau’s northern edge and it is a known foraging area for the Greater Horseshoe Bat, one of the UK’s most rare species, plus a habitat for endangered skylarks.
Our petition is your chance to make Eric Pickles (Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) and our MPs Don Foster and Jacob Rees-Mogg aware of our opposition to the plan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)